South Africa - Sony is giving twenty-five (25) Grassroot Soccer participants the once in a lifetime experience of being flag bearers at the 2010 FIFA World CupTM at various matches throughout South Africa: Ellis Park (Johannesburg), Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (Port Elizabeth) and Cape Town Stadium (Cape Town). The “Flag Bearer” program invites children (ages 10 to 16) to enter the stadium bearing the FIFA flag at the pre-game ceremonies, throughout the sixty-four (64) 2010 FIFA World CupTM matches. Grassroot Soccer (GRS) was selected as one of the local non-governmental organisations to receive support due to their efforts in using the power of football for social development.
“2010 FIFA World CupTM Flag Bearer Program by Sony provides a wonderful opportunity for local children to become part of the first World Cup in Africa. We are equally delighted to provide this once in a lifetime experience to be part of this celebration in history which the world will witness”, says Hidemi Tomita, General Manager of Sony CSR department.
To be eligible for selection, Grassroot Soccer chose kids who have served as peer role models in their community and participating in HIV awareness and life skills programs administrated by Grassroot Soccer. “We are grateful to Sony and FIFA for affording us the opportunity to offer the youth of South Africa an opportunity like this. This has allowed us to reward the children for being dedicated to making positive choices in their lives. This kind of initiative shows the community of what can be achieved through empowering oneself through knowledge”, says Ryan Janks, Special Programmes Manager at Grassroot Soccer.
Grassroot Soccer, a South African non-profit organisation, educates the youth about life skills, HIV and AIDS through the power of soccer. Managed by GRS, the Football For Hope Centre (FFHC) forms part of the “20 Centres for 2010” project, the official campaign of the 2010 FIFA World CupTM in South Africa. The project aims to build 20 Football For Hope community centres across Africa. The centre in Khayelitsha serves as a facility for public health, education, and football, featuring training spaces and an artificial turf field for delivery of GRS’ Skillz curriculum and other educational activities.
For more information on Grassroot Soccer and the Sony FIFA 2010 Flag Bearer Programme visit www.grassrootsoccer.org. or www.sony.com
For more information please contact:
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